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Reporting Verbs Exercises
Reporting Verbs Exercises
These exercises are based on the Reading and Use of English paper where you may be tested on this grammar point.
Open close - write one word to complete the sentence.
Key word transformation - complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Key word transformation
“I’ll never speak to them again,” she said.
THREATENED
She ____________________ to them again.
threatened not to speak
threaten needs to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“You mustn’t enter the building,” the officer said.
WARNED
The officer ____________________ the building.
warned us/me not to enter
warn is followed by object + not + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“Let’s try a different plan,” he said.
RECOMMENDED
He ____________________ a different plan.
recommended trying
recommend needs –ing.
Key word transformation
“I’ll go to France on holiday,” John said.
DECIDED
John ____________________ on holiday.
decided to go to France
decided needs to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“I really must have my own bedroom,” Lisa said.
INSISTED
Lisa ____________________ her own bedroom.
insisted on having
Insist needs on + –ing.
Key word transformation
“Come on, try it!” I said to him.
ENCOURAGED
I ____________________ it.
encouraged him to try
encourage needs object + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“You really must listen more carefully,” she said to me.
URGED
She ____________________ more carefully.
urged me to listen
urge needs object + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“OK, I’ll drive you to the airport,” my uncle said.
PROMISED
My uncle ____________________ to the airport.
promised to drive me
promise is followed by to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“No, I won’t lend you my car,” he said.
REFUSED
He ____________________ his car.
refused to lend me
refuse is followed by to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“It was your fault; you caused the problem” he said to Chris.
BLAMED
He ____________________ the problem.
blamed Chris for causing
blame someone for + –ing.
Key word transformation
“You stole my phone!” she said to him.
ACCUSED
She ____________________ her phone.
accused him of stealing
accuse someone of + –ing.
Key word transformation
“Stop shouting!” the teacher said to the students.
TOLD
The teacher ____________________ shouting .
told the students to stop
tell needs object + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“You should save more money,” she said to him.
ADVISED
She ____________________ more money.
advised him to save
advise needs object + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“Don’t forget to call your mother,” Tom said to me.
REMINDED
Tom ____________________ my mother.
reminded me to call
remind needs object + to-infinitive.
Key word transformation
“No, I didn’t break the window,” the boy said.
DENIED
The boy ____________________ the window.
denied breaking
denied is followed by –ing.
Key word transformation
“Yes, I took the money,” he said.
ADMITTED
He ____________________ the money.
admitted taking
admit is followed by –ing.
Key word transformation
“Why don’t we go cycling this afternoon?” she said.
SUGGESTED
She ____________________ that afternoon.
suggested going cycling
suggest is followed by –ing, not to.
Key word transformation
“I’m sorry I was late,” he said.
APOLOGISED
He ____________________ late.
apologised for being
apologise uses for + –ing.
Key word transformation
“Fine, I’ll come with you,” Mark said.
AGREED
Mark ____________________ with me.
agreed to come
agree is followed by to + infinitive.
Key word transformation
“I’ll help you move tomorrow,” Anna said.
OFFERED
Anna ____________________ me move the next day.
offered to help
offer is followed by to + infinitive.